KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College women's soccer team defeated Alma College 5-1 in an MIAA Tournament semifinal contest at MacKenzie Field on Thursday.
Kalamazoo now travels to Hope College on Saturday for the tournament championship game scheduled for noon. The winner of that game earns the league's automatic bid to the NCAA III Championships.
"It was an incredible team effort tonight," said Kalamazoo Head Coach Bryan Goyings. "Our team defending started strong and really allowed us to get numbersin to the attack."
Alma was almost able to sneak a goal in off a corner early in the contest, but Lucy Mailing was able to make the save. Kalamazoo had a pair of shots go just high and just wide as well.
The Hornets were finally able to get on the board when Suzanne Miller put in a corner kick by Katie Sorensen in the 24th minute. Jenna Sexton added an unassisted goal in the 40th minute as Kalamazoo took a 2-0 lead into halftime.
Miller scored again just a minute and a half into the second half as she knocked in a ball that had been deflected off a corner. Madison Moote put Kalamazoo up 4-0 just over five minutes into the second half (Maria Rich), and Sexton scored another goal in the 77th minute to put the Hornets up 5-0.
"I could not be more proud of Jenna," said Goyings. "Her goal before the half was huge and it was great to see her score twice tonight as well."
Alma was able to avoid the shutout with a goal in the 86th minute.
Kalamazoo outshot Alma 21-7 overall, including 13-6 on goal. Lucy Mailing made five saves for the Hornets.
Kalamazoo's win avenged two regular season losses to Alma, both by scores of 2-1, including the regular season finale at Alma just this past Monday.
Kalamazoo's offensive production (five goals) was its highest of the season, surpassing the four goals scored by the Hornets against Albion on Homecoming.
Looking ahead to Saturday, Kalamazoo and Hope split the two regular season games. Kalamazoo won 1-0 at home on Sept. 30 while Hope won 2-1 at home last Saturday, Nov. 1.
"We are excited about the opportunity to play in a conference final on Saturday and it should be a great game."